Prayer-05-20

A Call to Prayer
From the Session of Greenwich Presbyterian Church
May 5, 2020

The Session has unanimously endorsed to call the Greenwich church family to a season of prayer through the end of the summer. Periodically, the elders have called the church family to prayer during times of significant decision making and sacrifice, seeking God’s purposes through times of study and focused prayer efforts.

The elders believe we are in such a season again as we face the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges we face as a church family and as citizens of our local community, country, and world. To that end, we are providing this daily prayer guide as well as hosting regular prayer gatherings.

Sunday: Life of Greenwich

Deeper love for Jesus Christ in our worship services
An increased hunger for the Word of God
To be “do-ers” of the Word, not hearers only
Generous hearts and open hands
Unity and compassion within the church family
Increased awareness and use of our spiritual gifts
Increased mercy and love for our local community.

Monday: Healing & Suffering

Healing for all those suffering from physical illness and disease.
Containment of the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Comfort for those who are lonely in hospitals, nursing homes, & other care facilities.
Those in need of postponed medical care.
Those with mental health challenges.

Tuesday: Leaders & Influencers

For our pastors, elders, staff, and ministry leaders.
Wisdom, courage, humility, and unity in all decisions.
Wise and diligent administration of church funds & resources.
For wisdom and the pursuit of the common good by elected officials.
For clarity, integrity, and discretion in the media.
For wisdom & understanding in our scientific & medical community.
For business leaders making difficult decisions.

Wednesday: Protection for the Most Vulnerable

The elderly and those suffering from chronic disease.
The poor & the homeless in need of daily bread.
Women and children in abusive situations.
Those in prisons or other facilities who cannot protect themselves.
Women facing pregnancy & delivery.
Countries in the developing world & densely populated cities.
Asians and anyone subjected to COVID-related racism.
Caution & responsibility by the young and the strong.

Thursday: Faithful Discipleship

Discipline in practices for spiritual growth & prayer.
Repentance from sin and renewed commitment to Jesus.
Effective discipleship for families with children at home.
Willing hearts and hands to serve others.
Courage to share Jesus Christ with others
Keep us from anxiety and panic.
May we be wise and well-informed consumers.
Generosity and willingness to sacrifice our own desires for the common good.
For new Christians, turning to faith in Jesus in the midst of this crisis.
Effective witness to the community in word and deed

Friday: Frontline Workers in Healthcare & Essential Services

Keep them & their families safe and healthy.
Ability to diagnose and treat illness and disease.
Clear-thinking and relief from anxiety.
Compassion for every patient in their care.
Help Christians in health care to exhibit extraordinary peace & mercy.

Saturday: Other Effects of the Pandemic

Workers facing layoffs and financial hardship.
Families with young children at home.
Parents who cannot stay home from work.
Protection and favor on marriages.
Students & Teachers in Secondary Schools & Colleges, learning how to study from home.
Everyone anxious about their economic future.
Those disappointed by the cancellation of milestone events.

Pray for Our Mission Partners

Juan & Veronica Linero, missionaries serving Iglesia Una Luz En El Camino (A Light On the Path) church in Mexico.
Pastor Victor Fernandez, minister and evangelist serving Templo Jehova Yireh in Matamoros, Mexico.
Norman & Julie Beck, church-planting and youth ministry with the Cherokee Indian Tribe in western North Carolina.
Keith & Marti Franchois, missionaries developing mobile technology resources for sharing the gospel.
Melanie Johnson, preparing for a new church-planting effort in Tokyo, Japan.
Austin & Sinte House & Farthest Corners, missionaries providing physical relief and gospel outreach in Thailand & Burma.
Lou Chiccehitto, sharing the good news with local high school and middle school students in Fauquier County through Young Life.
Kevin Kifer of Outpost Ministries, equipping, training, and guiding men into active ministry and faithful family life.
Kathie Virinurm, ministering to students at George Mason University with Cru.
Julio & Ana Martinez, serving Shadai Church to reach Spanish-speaking communities in Manassas.
Dan Su, serving as president of China Outreach Ministries, reaching out to International Students in college and universities.
Joan Stewart of WV Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps responds with relief and hope for victims of natural disaster and poverty.
CareNet Pregnancy Resource Center, providing counseling and resources women experiencing unplanned pregnancy.
Rollin Van Broekhoven’s China Project, supporting the local church in mainland China and influencing the academic community.
Refugee Resettlement Ministry, helping refugee families who have have little or no resources for establishing a home and community.
NOVA Human Trafficking Initiative, mobilizing the local church to eradicate human trafficking & serve survivors.
Youth For Tomorrow, residential school giving a second chance and spiritual guidance to at-risk youth in our area.
Fauquier Family Shelter, serving homeless families with temporary and transitional housing programs.
SERVE, providing food, shelter, and other support for poor and needy in Western Prince William County.
Blessing Bags, our kits containing basic personal hygiene products, other necessities, and the gospel with homeless people in need.

Prayer for the Gift of Healing and Life
Adapted from a prayer by Friar Edward Hays

Lord of life,
We are grateful for the wholesomeness of life
And for the gift of good health.
Aware of the unity of body and spirit,
We affirm our constant need for their harmony
If we are to enjoy true health.
We are grateful for the marvels of medicine,
For doctors and nurses and aides, and those who now seek
To unlock the mysteries of the coronavirus,
And for all those who possess a healing touch,
And practice the art of healing.
We are thankful for the way in which
Our own bodies work to constantly heal themselves,
Restoring us to the state of health.
We acknowledge that we have been healed
Of depression and gloom,
By laughter and affection,
Healed of inner-injury by the medicine of forgiveness,
And for these times we are grateful as well.
We thank You for the ways
That beautiful music and silence heal our ears,
For the ways that color and form heal our eyes
And for how the magic medicine of make-believe
Binds up the wounds of our broken dreams.
As we rejoice in Your gift of health,
May we be ever-mindful of your children
Wo are steeped in sickness, that strange
Part of the divine mystery of salvation.
We thank You for the presence in our lives
Of Your Son, Jesus,
Who moved among us as both teacher and healer.
In the ancient tradition of the prophets,
He heralded and also healed—
Both body and spirit—
In Your Sacred Name.
Blessed are You, Lord our God,
Who heals us and restores us to life.